Q-INS (Quantum Inertial Navigation System)

2024: Application

The application of the first quantum navigation for aircraft, which cannot be hacked, has begun. A new technology called Q-INS (Quantum Inertial Navigation System) could replace GPS. This was announced in May 2024 by the Deputy Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology of Britain Andrew Griffith, who is in charge of the country's space projects.

The tests, organized with the support of the British Ministry of Defense and technology companies BAE Systems, QinetiQ and Infleqtion, took place at the Woodbridge military base. They were attended by several unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with prototypes of quantum accelerometers and gyroscopes. These devices allow movement and orientation changes to be measured with unprecedented accuracy, making them indispensable in conditions where the GPS signal is unavailable or subject to interference.

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According to the authors of the project, reducing dependence on global positioning systems eliminates risks to defense, economic and geopolitical operations due to the possibility of jamming or counterfeiting GPS signals.

Quantum navigation systems obtain data using phenomena such as quantum entanglement, quantum interference, and quantum state compression. In combination with high-precision atomic clocks and special software analysis to filter interference, they are able to replace GPS for a long time.

Successful flight tests have demonstrated the potential of quantum technology in overcoming the shortcomings of navigation systems and opened up amazing opportunities for it in aerospace and other industries, said Infleqtion President Timothy Ballens.

To implement this project, the British government provided Infleqtion with an £8m grant.^[1]

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